Collisions, injury, equipment breakage . . . but 4 races and a valid championship on day two of the 2014 Azores Formula Windsurfing World Championship now on at the Praia da Vitoria, Ilha Terceira.[more]
Racing in the harbour, the course had a start mid way between windward and leeward gates. Competition began with an average 9-10 knots but by the end of the day it was anywhere between 8 and 18 knots. These gusty and shifty S-SW winds brought testing conditions, mentally and physically, for the competitors and race crew alike.
Ross Williams, GBR-83, ended the day the clear leader and most consistent sailor with two firsts and two seconds. Stephen Allen, AUS-0, took the bullet in race three and is second overall. Janis Preiss LAT-23 and Casper Bouman NED-52 have equal points but Gabriel Browne is only one point behind in fifth. Gonzalo Costa Hoevel ARG-3 had a big lead over the finish line in race four but is down in ninth overall.
This event continues until Saturday 3 May. Windguru suggests the wind strength will increase Thursday and Friday before switching direction and becoming lighter for the last day. This competition is wide open!
Formula Windsurfing.org (with live ticker)
Sean O’Brien reports from Azores
